THE 1990 ELECTIONS

THE 1990 ELECTIONS; Bradley Wins New Jersey Primary

Published: June 7, 1990

Senator Bill Bradley, who won an easy victory in the New Jersey Democratic primary in his bid for a third term, will face a little-known Republican candidate, Christine Todd Whitman, in the November general election.

Mr. Bradley defeated Daniel Seyler, 35, an unemployed marketing manager, to face Ms. Whitman, 43, a former president of the State Board of Public Utilities, who ran unopposed.

Ms. Whitman, a member of one of New Jersey's most prominent Republican families, is seen as having little chance against the popular Senator. But Republicans recruited her with hopes she could diminish his aura as a Presidential contender.

Other major races were in the First Congressional District, which was served by Jim Florio for 16 years before he became governor, and the 12th Congressional District seat being vacated after 12 years by Representative James Courter, the Republican who opposed Mr. Florio last year.

In the 12th District, State Senator Richard A. Zimmer, 45, won the Republican nomination for Mr. Courter's congressional seat in an upset, defeating Phil McConkey, 33, a former receiver of the Giants football team, who finished a strong second in his campaign, and Assemblyman Rodney P. Frelinghuysen, 44, who had been the favorite. Joseph F. Shanahan, 76, was fourth. Mr. Zimmer will face the Democratic primary winner, Marguerite Chandler, 46, a businesswoman, who defeated James J. Cleary, a supporter of Lyndon H. LaRouche, the political extremist now jailed on fraud charges.

In the First District, the Camden County Freeholder Director, Robert E. Andrews, won the Democratic nomination over Linda Bowker, 41, the head of the New Jersey chapter of the National Organization for Women; John A. Dramesi, 51, a retired Air Force colonel, and Joel S. Farley, 35, a lawyer.